Protargol as an effective drug for local application of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory known for a long time. Very often it was administered to children. But recently, the drug was banned in several countries for use for children under six years.

The mechanism of action protargola

Protargol (international non-proprietary name - silver proteinate) - a powder containing 7, 8-8, 3% of silver, from which industrial pharmacy prepared single five-percent aqueous solution that is used in the form of eye drops, nose drops and solutions for lavages Bladder Urinary bladder - structure and function .

When ingested proteinate silver dissociates to form ions of silver, which have astringent, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. The silver ions actively suppress the proliferation of pathogens, linking their DNA. Protargola mechanism of action is based on the fact that the silver ions on the damaged mucosa precipitated proteins and form a protective film. This reduces the sensitivity narrowed blood vessels (this leads to the reduction of edema) and suppress the inflammatory process. The silver ions also inhibit the proliferation of various bacteria.

Anti-inflammatory properties of silver have been known to Avicenna, who applied for the treatment of patients with silver dust. He first described the bluish coloring of the eyes associated with the ingestion of silver (argyria). In those days, when there were no antibiotics were invented, drugs commonly used for the treatment of purulent diseases, especially of purulent wounds.

Repeated drug craze silver began several decades ago in the United States. Patients self-produced "silver water" and drank it, and the company produced biologically active food supplements, which contain silver in doses far exceeding permissible. There were multiple cases of argyria - life staining of the skin in a dark color. In this regard, in the late nineties vulgar century silver US drugs were banned. In many other countries Protargolum not licensed for use for children under six years. In Russia there are contraindications for taking this drug is not.

Today Protargolum not as widely used, despite its effectiveness, as is increasingly the question is raised about its side effects in the form argyrosis. Nevertheless, it continues to be successfully used in otolaryngology, ophthalmology and urology.

How to apply Protargolum

Protargola aqueous solution of various concentrations (one-five per cent) is used to treat infectious and inflammatory processes of the eye. Protargola solution instilled into the eyes of two or three drops from two to four times a day. For the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the bladder and urinary tract infections used a two-percent solution protargola who spend washing of the urinary tract. For the treatment of upper respiratory tract - rhinitis, inflammation of the pharynx, middle ear nose buried three to five drops twice a day, two-percent solution protargola.

Before burying protargola of nasal mucus must be removed, this is best done with the help of drops on the basis of sea water (for example, drops Aqua Maris) or a two percent solution of soda (a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of boiled water). The duration of treatment protargola Protargol - Pharmacy survivor   It is two weeks, if necessary, extend the course. We must remember that Protargolum protein preparation and therefore has a short shelf life. He kept only in a dark container.

Do not use this protargola case of hypersensitivity to the drug a patient's body during pregnancy and nursing Breastfeeding - a personal choice   feeding.

Side effects when using protargola rare. The main side effect - it is dry mucous membranes, burning and itching in the area of ​​topical application of the drug. There may be also a feeling of numbness at the site of impact, headache, dizziness, lethargy, drowsiness. There are also allergic reactions.

Indications for use protargola

Indications for use protargola are:

• purulent conjunctivitis, especially gonorrheal origin; the newborn immediately after birth have been prevented gonoreynogo ocular drugs silver;
• acute and chronic rhinitis;
• adenoids;
• inflammation of the pharynx (acute and chronic faringoit);
• cystitis Inflammation of the bladder - inconvenient and unpleasant   and urethra.

In theory, long-term use at high doses protargola may appear argyrosis - resistant dyeing gray or bluish color of the skin and mucous membranes. Danger argyrosis that lifelong changes in skin color. But in practice, the application of conventional doses and prescribed course of treatment by the application of protargola argyrosis not found.

Galina Romanenko

Otitis externa - is an inflammatory disease that affects the outer ear canal and eardrum. It is sometimes referred to as "swimmer's ear", as frequent and prolonged stay in the water makes the ear canal more vulnerable to various infections. When inflamed not only the auditory canal, and the eardrum, talk about diffuse otitis externa.

This disease is very common - about one in ten people at least once in their lifetime sick external otitis. He is a little more common among women than among men, and most purely diagnosed in patients between the ages of 45 to 75 years.

Symptoms of otitis externa

In typical cases of acute otitis externa causes the following symptoms:

• Pain in the ears, or in one ear;
• Itching and irritation in or around the ear canal;
• Redness and swelling of the outer part of the ear and inside the ear canal;
• Feeling the pressure inside the ear;
• Discharge from the ear of the patient, which can be both thin and watery or thick, purulent;
• Peeling skin around and inside the ear canal;
• Pain in the jaw movement, and when you touch the ears;
• Enlarged tonsils in the throat;
• Impairment of hearing.

Symptoms such as swelling of the external auditory canal, and purulent discharge, often causes the outer diffuse otitis. In addition, while violating discharge from the ears often become quite a strong odor.

Sometimes otitis externa is caused by the fact that the hair follicles are in-ear penetrating bacteria. In such cases, the ears formed a painful pimple or boil Boils and carbuncles - will warm compress Which can be felt with your finger, and sometimes see in the mirror. Do not try to squeeze the pimple - it may contribute to the spread of infection.

In some patients, symptoms of otitis externa persist for several weeks or even months - in such cases we speak of chronic otitis externa. This abuse may experience the following symptoms:

• Constant itching in and around the ear canal;
• Discomfort and pain in the ear, worse when moving;
• Development of unusual small amount of earwax;
• New formation of dense, dry skin cells in the ear canal, which can lead to a narrowing, and cause hearing loss.

The causes of otitis externa

The most common causes of the disease are external otitis:

• Bacterial infections. Most often, their agents are Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Staphylococcus aureus;
• Seborrheic dermatitis - frequent skin disease that causes irritation and inflammation of the skin, and sometimes affects the ears;
• Infections of the middle ear sometimes lead to the defeat of the external auditory meatus;
• Fungal infections caused by, for example, fungi of the genus Aspergillus or Candida (the fungi are also agents of thrush), sometimes striking the outer ear canal and eardrum. The likelihood of developing a fungal otitis externa is particularly great in patients who have long-term use drops containing antibiotics or steroids;
• Irritation or allergic reaction. Sometimes external otitis develops as a result of reaction to various substances or objects that come into contact with the ears, for example - a shampoo, ear drops, earplugs, sweat.

The following factors may increase the chance of developing otitis externa:

• Exposure to water or high humidity. Swimming (especially in contaminated water), frequent and severe sweating, prolonged stay in areas with high humidity increases the chance of developing otitis externa, as in the ear canal can accumulate fluid, which is an ideal breeding ground for pathogens. The water may flush the ears of sulfur, whereby often itchy ears. If the person is often scratch the skin inside the ear, this can cause small scratches and they can get in a humid environment living bacteria or fungi, and cause infection;
• Damage to the ear canal. The skin inside the ear canal is very sensitive, and it is quite easy to damage, for example during cleaning of the ears. Sometimes the damage are caused by a hearing aid, earplugs or headphones;
• Chemical substances. The risk of developing otitis externa increases if the ears fall regularly some chemicals contained, for example, in varnishes and hair dyes;
• Skin diseases. Chance sick external otitis increases not only the seborrheic dermatitis, but such conditions as psoriasis, eczema and acne;
• Allergies. In humans, suffering from allergic rhinitis Rhinitis: a runny nose - is quite serious   or asthma, the chance of developing otitis externa above average;
• Weak immune system. People who have diseases that weaken the immune system, such as diabetes, HIV or AIDS, as well as those who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy Radiotherapy in cancer treatment: irradiation aid , Suffer from otitis externa Otitis - than could face an ear infection   most people who do not have such health problems.